But unlike many of those players, Faulk was widely expected to return for next season.

"It surprised me," WWL Radio draft analyst Mike Detillier told Gannett reporter Glenn Guilbeau once it became clear Faulk was considering declaring for the draft. "I thought he was a lock to come back in 2013 for LSU. Health will determine how high he gets picked."

Faulk's draft stock would be even higher -- potentially even first-round high -- if not for a season-ending injury suffered during practice for LSU's Week 2 meeting with Washington. He came into 2012 as a projected high-round draft pick after a solid redshirt sophomore season that saw him earn second-team All-SEC honors from the AP.

A native of Slidell, La., Faulk started twice as a redshirt freshman before taking over the left tackle job in 2011, starting 13 games.